The demo is really fun, isn't it? I usually avoid fighting like a plague in RPGs, playing diplomats in the three or so games that allow it, so the amount of enjoyment I got out of the combat demo comes as a surprise.
That only goes to show how varied the character builds can be. I wasn't able to get past the barbari for the longest time, but took down the next guy in the first try, with plenty of health to spare. I believe I was attacking his hands, lowering his AP in the following round, and also keeping close to him the whole time. That way, he couldn't hit me with his trident, and whenever he tried to disengage, I got an opportunity attack.